Some Oregon schools allowed to keep tribal mascots

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Board of Education will allow some public schools to keep their Native American-themed mascots as long as they secure permission from one of Oregon's nine tribes.

The Oregonian reports officials had previously ordered 14 schools with Native American mascots to choose new ones by 2017. But the amendment approved Thursday allows schools to keep the mascots as long as tribal officials agree with them.

Department of Education spokeswoman Crystal Greene says the decision follows discussions with each of Oregon's tribes on the issue.

Some tribes and school districts have worked together on plans that would keep the mascots and include more tribal history in the classroom.

Native Americans have been asking state leaders to ban tribal-themed mascots, such as the Warriors, Braves and Indians, since 2006.